Optimization of Logistics Strategies for Long-Duration Space-Station Operation

The study and analysis of human physiology during short- and long-duration space flights are the most valuable approach in order to evaluate the effect of microgravity on the human body and to develop possible countermeasures in prevision of future exploratory missions and Mars expeditions. Hand performances such as force output and manipulation capacity are fundamental for astronauts’ intra- and extravehicular activities. Previous studies on upper limb conducted on astronauts during short-term missions (10 days) indicated a temporary partial reduction in the handgrip maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) followed by a prompt recovery and adaptation to weightlessness during the last days of the mission. In the present study, we report on the “Crew’s Health: Investigation on Reduced Operability” (CHIRO) protocol, developed for handgrip and pinch force investigations, performed during the six months increment 7 and increment 8 (2003-2004) onboard International Space Station (ISS). We found that handgrip and pinch force performance are reduced during long-term increments in space and are not followed by adaptation during the mission, as conversely reported during short-term increment experiments. The application of protocols developed in space will be eligible to astronauts during long-term space missions and to patients affected by muscle atrophy diseases or nervous system injury on Earth.

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Reduced heart rate variability during sleep in long-duration spaceflight

AJP Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpregu.00423.2012 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 305 (2) ◽

pp. R164-R170 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

D. Xu ◽

J. K. Shoemaker ◽

A. P. Blaber ◽

P. Arbeille ◽

K. Fraser ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Substantial Reduction ◽

Space Station ◽

Power Spectral Analysis ◽

Power Spectral ◽

Long Duration ◽

Fractal Properties ◽

Wide Range ◽

Simultaneous Movement

Limited data are available to describe the regulation of heart rate (HR) during sleep in spaceflight. Sleep provides a stable supine baseline during preflight Earth recordings for comparison of heart rate variability (HRV) over a wide range of frequencies using both linear, complexity, and fractal indicators. The current study investigated the effect of long-duration spaceflight on HR and HRV during sleep in seven astronauts aboard the International Space Station up to 6 mo. Measurements included electrocardiographic waveforms from Holter monitors and simultaneous movement records from accelerometers before, during, and after the flights. HR was unchanged inflight and elevated postflight [59.6 ± 8.9 beats per minute (bpm) compared with preflight 53.3 ± 7.3 bpm; P < 0.01]. Compared with preflight data, HRV indicators from both time domain and power spectral analysis methods were diminished inflight from ultralow to high frequencies and partially recovered to preflight levels after landing. During inflight and at postflight, complexity and fractal properties of HR were not different from preflight properties. Slow fluctuations (<0.04 Hz) in HR presented moderate correlations with movements during sleep, partially accounting for the reduction in HRV. In summary, substantial reduction in HRV was observed with linear, but not with complexity and fractal, methods of analysis. These results suggest that periodic elements that influence regulation of HR through reflex mechanisms are altered during sleep in spaceflight but that underlying system complexity and fractal dynamics were not altered.

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Human Factors Application of Long Duration Mission Post-Flight Debriefs: International Space Station Phase I

10.4271/981785 ◽

1998 ◽

Author(s):

Gregory W. Liddell

Keyword(s):

Human Factors ◽

Phase I ◽

International Space Station ◽

Space Station ◽

International Space ◽

Long Duration

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Making media work in space: an interdisciplinary perspective on media and communication requirements for current and future space communities

International Journal of Astrobiology ◽

10.1017/s1473550405002788 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 4 (3-4) ◽

pp. 259-268 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

S. Babidge ◽

J. Cokley ◽

F. Gordon ◽

E. Louw

Keyword(s):

Gender Equity ◽

Space Shuttle ◽

Space Station ◽

Social Adaptation ◽

Small Scale ◽

Long Duration ◽

Future Space ◽

The Social ◽

Media Work ◽

Group Attributes

As humans expand into space communities will form. These have already begun to form in small ways, such as long-duration missions on the International Space Station and the space shuttle, and small-scale tourist excursions into space. Social, behavioural and communications data emerging from such existing communities in space suggest that the physically-bounded, work-oriented and traditionally male-dominated nature of these extremely remote groups present specific problems for the resident astronauts, groups of them viewed as ‘communities’, and their associated groups who remain on Earth, including mission controllers, management and astronauts’ families. Notionally feminine group attributes such as adaptive competence, social adaptation skills and social sensitivity will be crucial to the viability of space communities and in the absence of gender equity, ‘staying in touch’ by means of ‘news from home’ becomes more important than ever. A template of news and media forms and technologies is suggested to service those needs and enhance the social viability of future terraforming activities.

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Study of Cosmic Dust Particles on Board LDEF and MIR Space Station

International Astronomical Union Colloquium ◽

10.1017/s0252921100066380 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 126 ◽

pp. 11-14

Author(s):

J.C. Mandeville

Keyword(s):

Size Distribution ◽

Good Accuracy ◽

Space Station ◽

Cosmic Dust ◽

Orbital Debris ◽

Dust Particles ◽

Chemical Identification ◽

Near Earth Space ◽

Solid Objects ◽

Long Duration

AbstractInterplanetary and near-earth space contains solid objects whose size distribution continuously covers the interval from submicron sized particles to km sized asteroids or comets. Two French experiments partly devoted to the detection of cosmic dust have been flown recently in space. One on the NASA Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), and one on the Soviet MIR Space Station. A variety of sensors and collecting devices will make possible the study of cosmic particles after recovery of exposed material. Flux mass distribution is expected to be derived from craters counts, with a good accuracy. Remnants of particles, suitable for chemical identification are expected to be found within stacked foil detectors. Discrimination between extraterrestrial particles and man-made orbital debris will be possible.

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